Heavy pre-Monsoon rain batters Kerala, red alert issued in two districts

Till a week back, Kerala has been reeling under scorching heat, but bouts of heavy to very heavy rains in the last one week has not only brought down the temperature, but also set off the huge deficiency in seasonal rainfall. As on May 16, the cumulative rainfall for Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep during this season from March 1 to May 15 had shown a deficit of 44 per cent. However, the IMD data on May 23 shows that the heavy rains in the last few days have jacked up the figures to normal rainfall for the entire state and nine districts reporting excess rain, which is a 20 per cent departure from normal figures.

As rain continued, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked the people to remain alert. Cloudbursts will create flash floods. As rains continue, there are chances of landslides and flooding in low-lying areas in cities. As a precautionary step, 223 persons have been relocated to eight camps in the state. Fishermen should not venture out to the sea along Kerala coast till further alert, he said.